SXSW Music kicks off on Wednesday the 12th, as always with the Annual Austin Music Awards at Austin Music Hall, but it has become clear over the last few years that the music really starts the night before. Just thinking back to last year, we remember walking up and down Red River, watching bands like Golden Bear, White Denim and Broken Teeth at venues such as Beauty Bar, Emo’s and Red 7, and congratulating ourselves for getting started early....

If you’re a fan of Okkervil River, the news keeps getting better. First there was an online release of an exclusive mix-tape titled Golden Opportunities last December. Then, the smaller matter of the recently announced SXSW gig with Roky Erikson at the Annual Austin Music Awards. Finally, we get to enjoy a live webcast of their show in Amsterdam tomorrow at the Paradiso -- hold your horses if you’re logging onto Orbitz already, it is sold out!...

What’s the Deal: Frank Smith isn’t the name of a man, but the name of an alt. country/Indie band of six with some of the most compelling songwriting in Austin. Their recent move from Boston has brought the group to an ideal state for their layered Americana full of gruff and gravely vocals, pluck and twang. They were even nominated for “Outstanding Americana Act” for the 2007 Boston Music Awards. Most of the time their music is a slow-moving, meandering drive in the country or on the winding roads of Appalachia letting the banjo and steel guitar radiate outward in waves to bounce back and forth between the birch trees and pines. ...

Chris Rose, or Car Stereo (Wars), will ensure 2008 kicks off right, with a barrage of dance floor ready material that includes a fair share of samples and mash-ups, no doubt. Happy New Year!...

Spider House and the United States Art Authority, along with yours truly, want to keep you away from downtown this New Year’s Eve. Sure the shenanigans on 6th St. is always stirring but keeping within the cozy confines of the campus area is arguably safer and largely less expensive. Spider House hosts a solid line-up of DJ’s with a couple of live acts thrown in for good measure. Doors are at 8 p.m. and the $12 tickets can be purchased in advance via Front Gate Tickets....

San Diego’s Grand Ole Party joins a quality bill of local acts this Saturday at Emo’s Lounge. The band is fresh off a jaunt with Vampire Weekend, having toured with Rilo Kiley prior to that. Produced by Rilo Kiley’s Blake Sennett, the trio’s debut record Humanimals (no connection to Manimal) showcases singer/drummer Kristin Gundrer’s powerful vocal chops that pace Grand Ole Party’s raw garage rock. The album has been available through iTunes this year and a more traditional release on DH Records is expected in early 2008....

As you might recall, a homeless man inadvertently started a fire on the outdoor patio of Mother's Cafe earlier this month, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. No charges were filed against the man, John Evans, who was merely trying to stay warm; Mother's co-owner Cameron Alexander demonstrated an extraordinary degree of compassion in agreeing with fire investigators that Mr. Evans should not be punished. While no one was injured by the blaze, much......

Tomorrow's your last chance to vote in the PLUG Independent Music Awards, the annual audience-juried awards event that recognizes the most promising artists and members of the independent music community. Beyond traditional music categories like Album of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and genre-specific awards, PLUG also celebrates everything from live venues and music festivals to internet radio stations and music blogs. This year, several Austin or Texas-based bands, stores, and organizations......

Emo’s might be the talk of the town during the first week of the year with its three-stage-pronged free show attack, but this Saturday, Stubb’s does its best to bite into the monopoly with a substantial triple bill. Just Guns kick off the evening with a dose of quality alt-country pop. Their debut full-length, Secrets/Spotlights, is laden with lyrical wisdom set to twangy hooks and pedal steel malaise, and their talent is prevalent every......

Austinite Actor and Director Daniel Isaac stars as the groom in the Panic! at the Disco video "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", which won Video of the Year at the 23rd annual MTV Video Music Awards. He is perhaps best-known locally as "The Guitarsonist" from last year's Air Guitar Championship at the Alamo Drafthouse.......